Kanawha County Schools Receives Local Grants for “Too Good for Drugs” Program

Kanawha County Schools, in partnership with Kanawha Communities that Care, received $10,000 from Charleston’s T-Center and $5,000 from CAMC Civic Affairs to contribute toward substance abuse prevention efforts. The grant monies will be used to purchase and implement the “Too Good for Drugs” curriculum in select grade levels during a Fall 2018 pilot. The “Too Good” program is a comprehensive, evidence-based substance use prevention curriculum for students K-12 applying interactive, social games and activities to promote healthy decision making.

“The financial support provided for this initiative will allow us to begin with elementary age students, instilling the social and emotional skills necessary for choosing to remain drug free,” noted Kanawha County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Ron Duerring.

This Summer, KCS counselors and teachers involved with delivering the curriculum will receive professional development on classroom strategies and best practices. Beginning in October, during National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, an estimated 6,000 KCS students in Grades 1, 4 and 7 will participate in 10 weekly lessons, through developmental guidance, advisory or health class. “Too Good” develops a framework of social and emotional skills through the development of goal-setting, decision-making, and effective communication skills in addition to peer pressure refusal, pro-social bonding, conflict resolution, and media literacy.

“As we continue to develop our plans for a new 40-bed substance abuse treatment facility in Charleston, the T-Center is glad to actively participate in prevention education efforts with Kanawha County Schools,” said B. Scott Miller, President of the T-Center Board of Directors. “An investment now in our children will pay huge dividends in the future for a healthy and productive workforce and citizenry.”

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The T-Center is a Charleston-based nonprofit committed to educating families and children with the hope that prevention will reduce the need for recovery and ensure that our communities have a bright and healthy future.

More information on the “Too Good for Drugs” program is available here.